Information registration system, information registration method, registration apparatus, and image pickup apparatus

ABSTRACT

A registration apparatus obtains, from an image pickup apparatus, identification information set in a lens apparatus that is attached to the image pickup apparatus. The registration apparatus pre-stores lens information including information that identifies the models of lens apparatuses and corresponding correction information, such that the lens information can be referenced by identification information. The registration apparatus displays a list of the stored lens apparatus models in a confirmation window such that the models of lens apparatuses corresponding to obtained identification information can be distinguished from the models of other lens apparatuses.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/511,409,filed Jul. 29, 2008, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information registration system forregistering correction information of a removable lens apparatus in animage pickup apparatus, as well as an information registration method, aregistration apparatus, and an image pickup apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, in some image pickup apparatuses such as digital stillcameras to/from which a lens apparatus can be attached/removed, it hasbeen possible to store correction information for lens apparatuses in amemory, read correction information corresponding to the attached lensapparatus from the memory, and correct a picked-up image. With suchimage pickup apparatuses, it is necessary to pre-store, in the memory,correction information for lens apparatuses that are to be attached andused.

Image pickup apparatuses themselves have become diverse, andparticularly with entry models, there are cases in which the memorycapacity and processing capability are not very high due to pricereduction. It is therefore possible for part of the correctioninformation to not be used (i.e., some correction processing is notexecuted).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-267770 discloses technology relatingto an image pickup apparatus that obtains, from a lens apparatusattached to the image pickup apparatus, unique information thatidentifies the lens apparatus, obtains optical characteristicsinformation for the lens that corresponds to the obtained uniqueinformation via a computer network, and stores the opticalcharacteristics information in a memory.

However, in the above conventional technology, the lens information thatis stored in a memory of the image pickup apparatus has beenautomatically selected based on the unique information of the lensapparatus that is attached to the image pickup apparatus. Therefore, auser has not been able to visually confirm which lens apparatus'scorrection information, from a list of lens apparatuses that can beregistered in the image pickup apparatus from a registration apparatus,will be stored in the memory of the image pickup apparatus.

Also, in the above conventional technology, even if the image pickupapparatus does not use part of the correction information, all of thecorrection information is stored in the memory of the image pickupapparatus. It is therefore possible for memory space to be wasted byunnecessary correction information that is not actually used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been achieved in light of the above situation.A characteristic feature of the present invention is that, in the caseof registering correction information of a lens apparatus in an imagepickup apparatus, a user can visually confirm which lens apparatus'scorrection information, from a list of lens apparatuses that can beregistered in the image pickup apparatus from a registration apparatus,is to be registered. Another characteristic feature of the presentinvention is preventing unnecessary correction information that is notused by the image pickup apparatus from being stored in the memory ofthe image pickup apparatus.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided aninformation registration system including an image pickup apparatusto/from which a lens apparatus having identification information settherein can be attached/removed, and a registration apparatus forregistering correction information of a lens apparatus in the imagepickup apparatus by connecting to and communicating with the imagepickup apparatus, the registration apparatus comprising: a lensinformation storage unit that stores lens information so as to be ableto be referenced by identification information, the lens informationincluding information that identifies the model of a lens apparatus andcorrection information that corresponds thereto; an obtaining unit thatobtains, from the image pickup apparatus, identification informationthat is set in a lens apparatus that is attached to the image pickupapparatus; a display unit that displays a confirmation window thatdisplays a list of models of lens apparatuses whose lens information isstored in the lens information storage unit, such that the model of thelens apparatus corresponding to the identification information obtainedby the obtaining unit can be distinguished from the model of anotherlens apparatus; an operation unit that receives, from a user via theconfirmation window, a designation of the model of a lens apparatuswhose correction information is to be registered in the image pickupapparatus; and a transmission unit that transmits, from the lensinformation storage unit to the image pickup apparatus, registrationinformation that includes identification information and correctioninformation of the lens apparatus whose designation was received by theoperation unit, and the image pickup apparatus comprising: a correctioninformation storage unit that stores correction information of a lensapparatus; a reply unit that transmits the identification informationset in the attached lens apparatus to the registration apparatus inaccordance with a request from the registration apparatus; a receivingunit that receives the registration information transmitted from theregistration apparatus; and an update unit that updates storage contentof the correction information storage unit based on the registrationinformation received by the receiving unit.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided aninformation registration method performed by (i) an image pickupapparatus to/from which a lens apparatus having identificationinformation set therein can be attached/removed, and that has acorrection information storage unit that stores correction informationof a lens apparatus, and (ii) a registration apparatus for registeringcorrection information of a lens apparatus in the image pickup apparatusby connecting to and communicating with the image pickup apparatus, theregistration apparatus having an operation unit, a display unit, and alens information storage unit that stores lens information so as to beable to be referenced by identification information, the lensinformation including information that identifies the model of a lensapparatus and correction information that corresponds thereto, theinformation registration method comprising: an obtaining step ofobtaining, from the image pickup apparatus by the registrationapparatus, identification information that is set in a lens apparatusthat is attached to the image pickup apparatus; a displaying step ofdisplaying, on the display unit, a confirmation window that displays alist of models of lens apparatuses whose lens information is stored inthe lens information storage unit, such that the model of the lensapparatus corresponding to the identification information obtained inthe obtaining step can be distinguished from the model of another lensapparatus; an operating step of receiving, from a user by the operationunit via the confirmation window, a designation of the model of a lensapparatus whose correction information is to be registered in the imagepickup apparatus; a transmitting step of transmitting by theregistration apparatus, from the lens information storage unit to theimage pickup apparatus, registration information that includesidentification information and correction information of the lensapparatus whose designation was received in the operating step; areceiving step of receiving, by the image pickup apparatus, theregistration information transmitted from the registration apparatus;and an updating step of updating, by the image pickup apparatus, storagecontent of the correction information storage unit based on theregistration information received in the receiving step.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided aregistration apparatus for registering correction information of a lensapparatus in an image pickup apparatus to/from which a lens apparatushaving identification information set therein can be attached/removed,by connecting to and communicating with the image pickup apparatus, theregistration apparatus comprising: a lens information storage unit thatstores lens information so as to be able to be referenced byidentification information, the lens information including informationthat identifies the model of a lens apparatus and correction informationthat corresponds thereto; an obtaining unit that obtains, from the imagepickup apparatus, identification information that is set in a lensapparatus that is attached to the image pickup apparatus; a display unitthat displays a confirmation window that displays a list of models oflens apparatuses whose lens information is stored in the lensinformation storage unit, such that the model of the lens apparatuscorresponding to the identification information obtained by theobtaining unit can be distinguished from the model of another lensapparatus; an operation unit that receives, from a user via theconfirmation window, a designation of the model of a lens apparatuswhose correction information is to be registered in the image pickupapparatus; and a transmission unit that transmits, from the lensinformation storage unit to the image pickup apparatus, registrationinformation that includes identification information and correctioninformation of the lens apparatus whose designation was received by theoperation unit.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided animage pickup apparatus to/from which a lens apparatus havingidentification information set therein can be attached/removed, and thatcommunicably connects to a registration apparatus for registeringcorrection information of a lens apparatus, the image pickup apparatuscomprising: a correction information storage unit that stores correctioninformation of a lens apparatus; a reply unit that transmitsidentification information set in an attached lens apparatus to theregistration apparatus in accordance with a request from theregistration apparatus; a receiving unit that receives registrationinformation that has been transmitted from the registration apparatusand that includes the correction information and the identificationinformation; and an update unit that updates storage content of thecorrection information storage unit based on the registrationinformation received by the receiving unit.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image pickupapparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an array of an image pickupdevice.

FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an overview of a lens informationregistration system.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an exemplary configuration ofrecorded content on a recording medium on which optical characteristicscorrection data is recorded.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a registrationapparatus.

FIG. 6 is a ladder chart showing operations performed by the imagepickup apparatus and the registration apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an exemplary user interface (UI)window.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing an exemplary UI window.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in the registrationapparatus.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagram showing an exemplary configuration ofrecorded content in a central control unit in an image pickup apparatusaccording to a second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an exemplary configuration of acorrection data reference table.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing in a registrationapparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of opticalcharacteristics correction data stored in the image pickup apparatusthat can only perform peripheral light quantity correction.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing processing performed in step S711 of FIG.9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments of the present invention are described below with referenceto the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to theembodiments below. Also, these embodiments of the present invention aremerely preferred embodiments of the present invention, and do not limitthe scope of the present invention.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image pickupapparatus 301 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.Note that the image pickup apparatus 301 described below is a so-calleddigital still camera (hereinafter, called a digital camera).

The image pickup apparatus 301 includes an image pickup unit 10, a dataprocessing unit 20, an output image memory 30, a data interface unit 31,an image display unit 32, a user interface unit 33, and a centralcontrol unit 34. The image pickup unit 10 has a lens apparatus 11 and animage pickup device 12. The data processing unit 20 has an AGC/ADconversion unit 21, an image data conversion unit 22, an imagedegradation correction processing unit 23, an image processing unit 24,and a compression processing unit 25.

To describe the above configuration in more detail, the central controlunit 34 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 34 a and an internal memory34 b. The CPU 34 a has the functions of performing overall management ofthe image pickup apparatus 301 and issuing processing instructions. InFIG. 1, broken-line arrows indicate the flow of processing, andsolid-line arrows indicate the flow of image data.

The image pickup unit 10 is unit in which the lens apparatus 11 projectsan image of an object onto the light receiving face of the image pickupdevice 12, thus picking up the image of the object. Specifically, whenthe shutter (not shown) of the image pickup apparatus 301 has beenpressed, or when the image display unit 32 is used as a viewfinder, theimage pickup unit 10 picks up an image of the object as described abovein accordance with an instruction from the CPU 34 a.

The lens apparatus 11 has an image pickup optical system 11 a forforming an image of an object, and a memory 11 b that has set thereinunique identification information that enables identifying the type ofthe lens apparatus 11 and the lens apparatus 11 itself. The lensapparatus 11 has mechanisms for zooming, determining the focus position,and driving the aperture (not shown) in the image pickup optical system11 a, and has the functions of detecting the values of the zoom state,the focus position, and the aperture diameter during shooting via theCPU 34 a. Also, the identification information stored in the memory 11 bcan be read by the central control unit 34 via a connection point (notshown) that electrically connects the lens apparatus 11 and the imagepickup apparatus 301. Also, the lens apparatus 11 can be attached to andremoved from the image pickup apparatus 301, and different lensapparatuses 11 can be attached to and removed from the image pickupapparatus 301. As a correction information storage means, the internalmemory 34 b stores optical characteristics correction data (correctioninformation) such as the limb darkening and distortion aberration of thelens apparatus 11, and the magnification chromatic aberration and axialchromatic aberration.

The image pickup device 12 is a single photoelectric conversion devicethat converts an optical signal obtained from an image formed on thelight receiving face into an electrical signal for each light receivingpixel that corresponds in position. The image pickup device 12 also hasa function for performing color separation with use of R (red), G(green), and B (blue) filters that are arranged in the Bayer patternshown in FIG. 2 in the pixels of a light receiving unit of the imagepickup device 12. The exposure time and object image obtaining timing ofthe image pickup device during shooting is controlled by the CPU 34 a,and image data obtained as an electrical signal is transferred to thedata processing unit 20 in accordance with an instruction from the CPU34 a.

Upon being transferred to the data processing unit 20, the image signalis first transferred to the AGC/AD conversion unit 21. The AGC/ADconversion unit 21 performs AGC (Automatic Gain Control) to amplify andcorrect the intensity of the received image signal, performs ADconversion to convert the image signal into digital data, and transfersthe digital data to the image data conversion unit 22. The image dataconversion unit 22 then converts the received digital data into digitalimage (tone) data.

The digital image data resulting from the conversion performed by theimage data conversion unit 22 is transferred to the image processingunit 24 after the image degradation correction processing unit 23 hasperformed image correction processing thereon, or without correctionprocessing being performed. This branch in the processing occurs due tothe existence of conditions such as whether or not the camera is set toperform correction, and whether or not correction data exists for theoptical system used during shooting.

The image degradation correction processing unit 23 corrects imagedegradation in the picked-up image that has been picked up by the lensapparatus 11. In accordance with an instruction from the CPU 34 a, andbased on the optical characteristics correction data for the lensapparatus 11 that is stored in the internal memory 34 b, the imagedegradation correction processing unit 23 corrects image degradation inthe received image data that occurs due to the above-described opticalcharacteristics of the lens apparatus 11. Specifically, a limb darkeningcharacteristic, a magnification chromatic aberration characteristic, anaxial chromatic aberration characteristic, a distortion aberrationcharacteristic, and the like are corrected in accordance with theoptical characteristics correction data. In this case, the data used inthe image degradation correction processing performed by the imagedegradation correction processing unit 23 may be any data that is usefulfor correction, such as a lens design value, lens aberration data, and alens aberration correction parameter.

Meanwhile, the image processing unit 24 performs image conversionprocessing based on data regarding color systems, such as color systemconversion processing and luminance/color separation. Generally, suchimage conversion processing is performed based on the assumption thatfor an arbitrary pixel position, the object image formation positionmatches between the color systems. There are various methods ofcorrecting the optical characteristics, and correction may be performedby any means.

The image data on which image degradation correction has been performedis transferred to the image processing unit 24, which performs varioustypes of image processing such as luminance color separation processing,white balance adjustment, gray balance adjustment, density adjustment,color balance adjustment, and edge emphasizing.

The image data resulting from the image processing performed by theimage processing unit 24 is transferred to the compression processingunit 25, which compresses the image data using a predetermined imagecompression processing method. The compression method may be any methodof compressing image data, such as JPEG (Joint Photographic ExpertGroup), TIFF (Tag Image File Format), and JPEG2000. The compressed imagedata is transferred to the output image memory 30 as output image data,and stored therein.

The output image memory 30 that stores the output image data is arecording medium that can be mounted in and removed from the imagepickup apparatus 301, and an output image can be directly transferred toanother information terminal device via the recording medium. Also, theoutput image memory 30 is a re-writable memory, examples of whichinclude a compact flash (registered trademark) memory, and card-shapedmemories such as a smart media card, a memory stick, a PC card, or anATA card. The output image memory 30 may be, for example, ageneral-purpose memory such as an MO disk, a floppy (registeredtrademark) disk, a ZIP disk, a CD-R, a CD-RW, or a DVD-ROM, and may takeany form.

The data interface unit 31 is an interface for connecting to anotherinformation terminal device wirelessly or by wire so as to enablecommunication therebetween. Specifically, under the control of thecentral control unit 34, the data interface unit 31 performs datacommunication via USB communication, a LAN, the Internet, or the like.For example, the data interface unit 31 can transfer image data storedin the output image memory 30 to another information terminal device viawired transmission or wireless transmission.

The image display unit 32 is configured from a liquid crystal display orthe like, and can display image data recorded in the output image memory30, camera shooting settings, and the like. As an electronic viewfinder,the image display unit 32 can also display object images. The imagedisplay function of the image display unit 32 can be switched ON and OFFvia the user interface unit 33, and display information can also beswitched via the user interface unit 33.

The following describes operations of the registration apparatusaccording to the first embodiment as well as shows coordination with theimage pickup apparatus described above. FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagramshowing an overview of a lens information registration system 1. Asshown in FIG. 3, in the lens information registration system 1, theimage pickup apparatus 301 indicates a digital camera that has theoptical correction functions described above, and it is assumed thatdifferent lens apparatuses 11 can be attached and removed.

The registration apparatus 302 is an information device such as aso-called personal computer, and it is assumed that an applicationprogram that can communicate with the image pickup apparatus 301 isinstalled therein. It is also assumed that the registration apparatus302 has registered therein correction values of the opticalcharacteristics correction data described above for various types oflens apparatuses.

Since the registration apparatus 302 generally has a sufficientrecording capacity, it is assumed that all correction values for lensapparatuses 11 that the image pickup apparatus 301 is compatible withare recorded therein. The means for recording the opticalcharacteristics correction data described above in the registrationapparatus 302 may be, for example, connecting to the Internet anddownloading the data, or directly recording the data from an externalrecording medium to the personal computer.

In order to obtain the optical characteristics correction data, theimage pickup apparatus 301 can, for example record necessary data fromamong the optical characteristics correction data recorded in theregistration apparatus 302, from the data interface unit 31 shown inFIG. 1 to the central control unit 34 also shown in FIG. 1 via a USBcable 303.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an exemplary configuration of recordedcontent on a recording medium on which optical characteristicscorrection data is recorded. It is sufficient for the structure in whichthe optical characteristics correction data is recorded in the centralcontrol unit 34 of the image pickup apparatus 301 to be the same as thestructure in which the optical characteristics correction data isrecorded in the registration apparatus 302. The data configuration ofthe recording medium is mainly divided into an area 801 for an overalloptical characteristics correction table, and lens data areas 802 and803 for respective lenses, and a lens data area is provided for eachlens for which correction is performed.

The information recorded in optical correction table header information804 in the area 801 can be, for example, the number of lenses that areaccommodated by the optical correction table, the data amount ofcorrection data for each lens, and the data amount of each opticalcorrection data piece.

Header information 805 of each lens data piece has recorded therein, forexample, model identifying information that is unique to each lensapparatus (e.g., a lens ID (identification information) or lens name),as well as the Tele end and Wide end focal length, shortest shootingdistance, and an open aperture value of the corresponding lens, suchthat this information can be referenced. Such information is used toidentify the lens apparatus, and is used as parameters when performingcorrection calculations. By referencing the lens ID in the headerinformation 805 and reading data that matches the lens ID read from thelens apparatus, it is possible to read optical characteristicscorrection data that corresponds to the lens apparatus. In other words,the information that identifies the model of the lens apparatus (e.g., alens name) and lens information including corresponding correctioninformation is stored on the recording medium such that referencing bythe lens ID is possible.

The lens data area for each lens has recorded therein correction valuesfor the corresponding optical correction. For example, recorded asperipheral light quantity correction data 806 is data indicating thedegree of a drop in light quantity at various distances from the opticalaxis center for each zoom position, focus position, and apertureposition. Also, recorded as distortion aberration correction data 807 isdata indicating the degree of actual distortion with respect to theideal image height at various distances from the optical axis center foreach zoom position, focus position, and aperture position. Recorded asmagnification chromatic aberration correction data 808 are correctionvalues such as the degree to which an image formation position of the Ror B component is shifted with respect to the G component at variousdistances from the optical axis center for each zoom position, focusposition, and aperture position. The optical characteristics to becorrected and the data content are of course not limited to the abovedescription.

The following describes an exemplary configuration of the opticalcharacteristics correction data stored in the internal memory 34 b ofthe image pickup apparatus 301 with reference to FIG. 13. In the exampleshown in FIG. 13, it is assumed that the image pickup apparatus 301 canperform only peripheral light quantity correction as image degradationcorrection processing. If the image pickup apparatus 301 performs onlyperipheral light quantity correction, it is not necessary to storeoptical correction data (i.e., the distortion aberration correction data807 and the magnification chromatic aberration correction data 808 shownin FIG. 4) other than peripheral light quantity correction data. Thedata structure shown in FIG. 13 therefore has an area 1301 for anoverall optical characteristics correction table, and areas 1302 and1303 for respective lens apparatuses that can be attached to the imagepickup apparatus 301.

Similarly to the area 801 shown in FIG. 4, the area 1301 has storedtherein optical correction table header information 1304 relating tolens apparatuses registered in the image pickup apparatus 301 (theregistration of lens apparatuses is described later).

Similarly to the header information 805 shown in FIG. 4, the areas 1302and 1303 for respective lens apparatuses have stored therein information(header information 1305) relating to lens apparatuses registered in theimage pickup apparatus 301. The areas 1302 and 1303 for respective lensapparatuses have further stored therein peripheral light quantitycorrection data 1306 for each lens apparatus registered in the imagepickup apparatus 301.

Although FIG. 13 shows only the areas 1302 and 1303 for the two lensesapparatuses A and B respectively, in actuality, respective areas areprovided for all lens apparatuses that are registered in the imagepickup apparatus 301.

Of course, if the image pickup apparatus 301 can perform distortionaberration correction and magnification chromatic aberration correctionin addition to peripheral light quantity correction, it is sufficientfor the data structure shown in FIG. 13 to be the same as the datastructure shown in FIG. 4.

The following describes the configuration of the registration apparatus302 with reference to FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the registrationapparatus 302 includes a control unit 401, a RAM (Random Access Memory)402, a storage unit 403, a display unit 404, an operation unit 405, andan I/F unit 406.

The control unit 401 is configured from a CPU and the like, andcentrally controls the operations of units in the registration apparatus302. Specifically, the control unit 401 controls the operations of theunits by expanding program data 403 a stored in the storage unit 403 tothe RAM 402, and sequentially executing the program data 403 a.

As a lens information storage means, the storage unit 403 is a ROM (ReadOnly Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like, and stores theprogram data 403 a and optical characteristics correction data 403 b.Also, a recording medium 407 can be mounted to and removed from thestorage unit 403 by a connector (not shown), and the storage unit 403can, for example, read data stored on the recording medium 407 and writedata to the recording medium 407. For example, the program data 403 a,the optical characteristics correction data 403 b, and the like may beread from the recording medium 407 and stored in the storage unit 403.The program data 403 a is, for example, the application programdescribed above, and the optical characteristics correction data 403 bis the above-described optical characteristics correction data that hasbeen read from the recording medium and stored in the storage unit 403.

The display unit 404 is a display apparatus such as an LCD (LiquidCrystal Display), and displays windows under the control of the controlunit 401. Specifically, the display unit 404 displays UI-related windowsthat are described later. The operation unit 405 is a keyboard, pointingdevice, or the like, and receives operation input from a user andoutputs the operation input to the control unit 401. Specifically, theoperation unit 405 receives operation instructions from the user via theUI, such as a registration instruction originating from the designationof the model of a lens apparatus whose correction information is to beregistered.

The I/F unit 406 is an interface that, under the control of the controlunit 401, connects to an external device wirelessly or by wire so as toenable communication with the external device. Specifically, the I/Funit 406 connects to and performs USB communication with the imagepickup apparatus 301 via the USB cable 303. The I/F unit 406 alsoconnects to and performs data communication with an external device 306via a communication network 305 such as the Internet or a LAN (LocalArea Network) in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol.An example of data communication with the external device 306 via thecommunication network 305 is downloading the optical characteristicscorrection data described above via the Internet.

The following describes operations performed by the image pickupapparatus 301 and the registration apparatus 302 in the lens informationregistration system 1 with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, 8, 9, and 14. FIG. 6is a ladder chart showing operations performed by the image pickupapparatus 301 and the registration apparatus 302. FIGS. 7 and 8 showexemplary UI windows displayed by the display unit 404 according to theapplication program described above, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing aflow of processing in the registration apparatus 302. FIG. 14 is aflowchart showing processing performed in step S711 of FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the registration apparatus 302, when acommunication connection with the image pickup apparatus 301 has beenconfirmed, under the control of the control unit 401, the applicationprogram is started and a UI is displayed by the display unit 404. The UIdisplayed by the display unit 404 when the application program isstarted is a UI related to selections in a main menu, and this UI hasareas 501, 502, and 503 as shown in FIG. 7.

The area 501 displays settings of the connected image pickup apparatus301 that cannot be modified using the application. Specific examples ofthese settings include the drive mode (single shot, continuousshooting), the shooting mode (manual, aperture priority, shutterpriority, etc.), the remaining battery life, and the remaining number ofphotographs that can be shot. The area 502 displays settings of theimage pickup apparatus 301 that can be changed using the application.Specific examples of these settings include the white balance mode, theISO sensitivity, the recording image quality, and the photometric mode.A shooting system menu is displayed in the area 503, and mainlyimage-related settings can be performed. For example, it is possible toselect a mode for outputting colors and a brightness specialized for aspecific object (e.g., “landscape mode” or “portrait mode”), and it ispossible to set WB correction for finely adjusting the white balance setin the area 502. The optical characteristics correction data of thepresent invention can also be registered in the area 503. Note that thearrangement in this UI window is not limited to the above description.

The following describes processing in the case of registering a desiredlens apparatus's optical characteristics correction data in theregistration apparatus 302 that is in the possession of a user, withreference to mainly FIGS. 6, 8, 9, and 14. As shown in FIG. 9, upon theuser clicking the “optical correction” button in the area 503, thecontrol unit 401 of the registration apparatus 302 starts processing forregistering optical characteristics correction data in the image pickupapparatus 301 (S701).

After the processing has started in step S701, the control unit 401performs a communication check with the image pickup apparatus 301(S702). In the check performed in step S702, the registration apparatus302 requests the connected image pickup apparatus 301 to transmit theidentification information of the lens apparatus 11 that is currentlyattached and the optical characteristics correction data that ispre-registered in the central control unit 34 of the image pickupapparatus 301 (S401). Upon receiving the request, the image pickupapparatus 301 transmits the identification information of the lensapparatus that is currently attached (e.g., the name and lens ID) andthe optical characteristics correction data that is registered in thecentral control unit 34 to the registration apparatus 302 (S402).

As a result of the processing in step S401 and step S402, theregistration apparatus 302 obtains the identification information of thelens apparatus 11 that is attached to the image pickup apparatus 301 andis to be registered. In step S402, the entire structure shown in FIG. 13may be transmitted as the information, or only the identificationinformation of registered lens apparatuses may be extracted andtransmitted as the information. In other words, in step S402, theidentification information of registered lens apparatuses whose opticalcharacteristics correction data is pre-stored in the central controlunit 34 is transmitted as a reply.

When the communication check described above has ended, the control unit401 obtains the information transmitted from the image pickup apparatus301 as a reply (S703), and prepares to cause the display unit 404 to,before the transmission of the data to be registered, display a UI usedwhen performing lens registration. The window displayed by the displayunit 404 as the UI is a confirmation window for confirming data contentbefore the transmission of data to be registered, and as shown in FIG.8, this window has an area 601, an area 602, an area 603, a button 604,and an OK button 605.

The area 602 displays a list of, for example, the names (models) of lensapparatuses that are recorded in the registration apparatus 302 and forwhich optical correction can be performed. The display of this list isperformed by the control unit 401 reading the optical characteristicscorrection data 403 b stored in the storage unit 403. Also, the controlunit 401 adds a check to the checkbox in front of each lens namedisplayed in the area 602 that corresponds to a lens apparatus whoseoptical characteristics correction data obtained in step S402 is alreadyregistered (S704). In other words, the area 602 displays a list of lensapparatuses that are recorded in the registration apparatus 302, as wellas lens apparatuses whose correction information is stored andregistered in the image pickup apparatus 301 such that they can bedistinguished from other lens apparatuses based on the existence ofchecks. Accordingly, it is possible in the area 602 to explicitly informthe user of lens apparatuses whose optical characteristics correctiondata is already registered in the image pickup apparatus 301.

Meanwhile, based on the identification information obtained in stepS402, the control unit 401 determines whether the opticalcharacteristics correction data recorded in the registration apparatus302 includes optical characteristics correction data related to theattached lens apparatus (S705). In other words, in step S705, thecontrol unit 401 determines whether the optical characteristicscorrection data related to the lens apparatus that is currently attachedto the image pickup apparatus 301 is recorded in the registrationapparatus 302.

If the control unit 401 determines in step S705 that the opticalcharacteristics correction data is recorded, based on the registeredoptical characteristics correction data that was obtained in step S402,the control unit 401 determines whether the total number of models ofregistered lens apparatuses is not more than the number of models thatcan be registered in the image pickup apparatus 301 (S706). Morespecifically, the control unit 401 compares a total of the number ofregistered lens apparatuses and the number of lens apparatuses to beregistered, against a predetermined setting in the memory or the likeindicating the number of lens apparatuses that can be registered, anddetermines whether the former is not more than the latter.

If the control unit 401 has determined in step S706 that the number ofregistered lens apparatuses is less than the number of lens apparatusesthat can be registered, the control unit 401 adds a check to thecheckbox of the name of the attached lens apparatus that is displayed inthe area 602 as described above (S707). In other words, as a result ofstep S707, the registration apparatus 302 displays the attached lensapparatus and other lens apparatuses so as to be distinguishable fromeach other based on checks in checkboxes. Here, if the opticalcharacteristics correction data of the attached lens apparatuses is notrecorded in the registration apparatus 302, or if the number ofregistered lens apparatuses is greater than or equal to the number oflens apparatuses that can be registered, the control unit 401 displays awarning display on the display unit 404 using a popup window or the like(S706 a). By this warning display, the registration apparatus 302 cannotify the user that no more lens apparatuses can be registered in theimage pickup apparatus 301, or that the optical characteristicscorrection data of the attached lens apparatus does not exist.

When the processing described above has been completed, the control unit401 displays the UI shown in FIG. 8 on the display unit 404 (S708). Thisenables the user to find out at a glance which lens apparatuses areregistered in the image pickup apparatus 301, and which lens apparatuseshave not been registered. Here, the means for notifying the user is notlimited to the checkboxes described above as an example. Note that ifmerely checks are added to checkboxes, it is impossible to distinguishbetween the lens apparatus that was attached and already-registered lensapparatuses in the display. Therefore, when adding a check to thecheckbox for the attached lens apparatus, the display may be madeexplicit by displaying, for example, “Attached lens A has been added” inthe area 603 or the like. Rather than being limited to the area 603, thedisplaying means can be a method of, for example, changing the color ofthe characters in the corresponding lens name displayed in the area 602.

If the currently attached lens apparatus 11 is exchanged while the UIshown in FIG. 8 is being displayed by the display unit 404, under thecontrol of the central control unit 34 that is an exchange notifyingmeans, the image pickup apparatus 301 transmits the identificationinformation of the lens apparatus that is newly attached after theexchange to the registration apparatus 302 (S403). Upon obtaining suchidentification information, the control unit 401 of the registrationapparatus 302 determines whether the optical characteristics correctiondata of the newly attached lens apparatus is recorded in theregistration apparatus 302. If the optical characteristics correctiondata is already recorded, the control unit 401 adds a check to thecheckbox for the name of the newly attached lens apparatus in the area602, and updates the display of the UI. If the optical characteristicscorrection data is not recorded, the control unit 401 may display awarning display on the display unit 404.

When updating the display of this UI, it is preferable to not uncheckthe checkbox for the lens apparatus that was attached before theexchange. By not unchecking this checkbox, the number of checks isincreased as lens apparatuses are exchanged one after another.Accordingly, a user who possesses multiple lens apparatuses canefficiently register the optical characteristics correction data of thelens apparatuses in the image pickup apparatus 301 by merely exchangingthe lens apparatus attached to the image pickup apparatus 301.

The control unit 401 also receives an additional user selection ofcheckboxes for the lens apparatuses displayed in the area 602 via theoperation unit 405 that is a mouse or the like, and adds checks inaccordance with the selection instruction (S709). In this case, the userselects a desired lens from the lens name list in the area 602. Forexample, the user selects, from the lens name list, a lens apparatusname (model) that is different from the lens apparatus attached to theimage pickup apparatus 301.

In general, dozens of removable lenses can be attached to alens-replaceable image pickup apparatus, and some image pickupapparatuses are compatible with over a hundred lenses. The user mustfind a desired lens from among these, and making the selection from alist of all lenses is very difficult. For this reason, the area 601includes category-specific selection buttons such as “ultrawide-angle/wide-angle”, “normal/medium telephoto”, “telephoto”, “macro”,“zoom”, and “APS-C sensor lens”. In accordance with the user operationinstruction received via the selection buttons arranged in the area 601,the control unit 401 displays only the lens apparatuses in the selectedcategory in the area 602. This enables the user to efficiently find adesired lens when making a selection from the lens name list.

Also, upon receiving a user instruction via the button 604, the controlunit 401 displays only the lens apparatuses that have checks in the area602. This enables the user to see at a glance a list of lens apparatusesto be registered. Also, the area 603 displays the maximum number of lensapparatuses that can be registered in the image pickup apparatus 301 andthe number of lenses that are currently registered in the image pickupapparatus 301, thereby showing how many more lens apparatuses can beregistered.

When a check is added to the checkbox of a lens apparatus in step S709,if a correction function related to the checked lens apparatus isrestricted, the control unit 401 may display a warning display on thedisplay unit 404 when the checkbox is checked. In other words, a warningdisplay is displayed if, in step S709, the correction informationincluded in the checked lens information that is to be registeredsatisfies a warning condition pre-set in the memory, such as acorrection function being restricted.

One example of a warning condition for which a warning display is to bedisplayed is the case in which the lens apparatus that has been checkeddoes not have range information. In general, most lens apparatusestransmit information such as focal length information and an aperturevalue to the image pickup apparatus through communication with the imagepickup apparatus. However, there are many lens apparatuses that do nottransmit, to the image pickup apparatus, range information that does notreadily vary according to the optical system. In the case of such a lensapparatus, it is highly possible for correction to not be appropriatelyapplied, compared to other lens apparatuses that transmit rangeinformation. It is completely impossible to determine whether a lensapparatus transmits range information based on the lens name etc.Accordingly, by warning the user to this effect when such a lensapparatus is checked, the user can use the correction function in theimage pickup apparatus after being made aware of the risk thatcorrection will not be appropriately applied.

Another example of a case in which a warning display is to be displayedis the case of a lens apparatus that has an optical characteristic forwhich correction cannot be performed, and in this case, a warningdisplay to that effect is displayed. For example, if distortionaberration correction is to be performed with a lens apparatus such as afish-eye lens, a very large amount of correction will need to beperformed. Performing such correction in the case of this lens is aburden on the system and the correction is difficult, and there arecases in which the image pickup apparatus 301 cannot accommodate thecorrection. However, peripheral light quantity correction, magnificationaberration correction, and the like can be performed similarly to otherlens apparatuses. When such a lens apparatus exists and the lensapparatus is checked, the user may be notified by displaying a warningdisplay on the display unit 404 to the effect that distortion aberrationcorrection cannot be performed.

It is sufficient for information indicating whether the lens apparatushas the range information described above, and information indicatingwhether the lens apparatus is a lens apparatus for which distortionaberration correction can be performed to be recorded in the headerinformation 805 of the optical characteristics correction table shown inFIG. 4. When a check has been added, by referencing the opticalcharacteristics correction data 403 b, the control unit 401 candetermine whether to display the warning displays described above, anddisplay a warning display on the display unit 404 when necessary.

The user clicks the OK button 605 upon completing the selection, andthus the control unit 401 determines whether a data registrationinstruction has been received from the user according to whether the OKbutton 605 has been operated (S710). Here, the application changes theformat of the optical correction data so as to be compatible with themodel of the image pickup apparatus 301 in which the optical correctiondata is to be registered (S711).

The following describes this processing with reference to FIG. 14.First, when the OK button 605 has been clicked (S1401), based oninformation relating to the image pickup apparatus 301 that has beenobtained beforehand, the application determines the model of the imagepickup apparatus 301 that is connected to the registration apparatus 302(S1402). The following describes an example in which there are threeimage pickup apparatus models, namely Type1, Type2, and Type3.

Type1 is a model that can only perform correction A (e.g., peripherallight quantity correction). Type2 is a model that can only performcorrection A and correction B (e.g., peripheral light quantitycorrection and distortion aberration correction). Type3 is a model thatcan perform correction A, correction B, and correction C (peripherallight quantity correction, distortion aberration correction, andmagnification chromatic aberration correction).

The following describes the case in which the image pickup apparatus 301connected to the registration apparatus 302 has been determined to beType1. In this case, the application performs the following processing.Among the optical characteristics correction data stored in theregistration apparatus 302 (FIG. 4), the application extracts onlyoptical characteristics correction data necessary for Type1 (peripherallight quantity correction data) from the optical characteristicscorrection data of the lens apparatus to be registered this time(S1403). The application then converts the extracted opticalcharacteristics correction data into a format for storage in the Type1image pickup apparatus. An example of the configuration of the opticalcharacteristics correction data after format conversion is shown in FIG.13. Note that the processing of step S1404 and step S1405 is performedin the cases of Type2 and Type3 image pickup apparatuses respectively.

When format conversion has ended, the application transmits theconverted optical characteristics correction data to the image pickupapparatus 301 (S1406, S712, S404).

Then, in the image pickup apparatus 301, the optical characteristicscorrection data is recorded to the internal memory 34 b based on theregistration information transmitted from the registration apparatus 302(storage content updating), and thereafter the central control unit 34transmits a registration completion notification to the registrationapparatus 302 (S405). In the registration apparatus 302, when theregistration completion notification has been received, theabove-described processing performed by the control unit 401 is ended(S713). This series of processing enables the user to efficientlyregister the optical characteristics correction data of a desired lensapparatus in the image pickup apparatus 301 that is in the user'spossession.

Second Embodiment

The following describes a second embodiment of the present invention inwhich the structure of the recorded optical characteristics correctiondata in the central control unit 34 of the image pickup apparatus 301 isdifferent from the structure of the recorded optical characteristicscorrection data in the storage unit 403 in the registration apparatus302. Note that a description of the image pickup apparatus 301 and theregistration apparatus 302 according to the second embodiment has beenomitted since they are the same as in the first embodiment.

In the first embodiment, the optical characteristics correction data isdescribed as being recorded using the same structure in the image pickupapparatus 301 and the registration apparatus 302, as shown in FIGS. 4and 13. However, the following problem occurs when the recordingstructure is the same. Note that although part of the correction data(specifically distortion aberration correction data and magnificationaberration correction data) is missing in FIG. 13, the structures inFIG. 13 and FIG. 4 would be the same if this part were included, andtherefore the correction data shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 4 is treated ashaving “the same” structure.

If the optical characteristics correction table is managed according tolens IDs, the user performs registration by making a determination basedon the names of lens apparatuses, as shown in the area 602 of FIG. 8.There is no problem if the lens IDs and names completely correspondone-to-one, but in reality there are cases in which multiple lens IDsare assigned to lenses that have the same name and optical system.

This occurs in a situation such as, for example, when the firmware in alens apparatus is changed during lens production, and there is a need todistinguish between old-firmware and new-firmware lens apparatuses thathave the same name, different lens IDs are assigned to the lensapparatuses. Such lens apparatuses have different lens IDs even thoughthe name and optical system is the same. If the recording structure forcorrection data for such lens apparatuses is the same between the imagepickup apparatus 301 and the registration apparatus 302 as described inthe first embodiment, the user would of course not be able to know whichlens apparatus names have multiple lens IDs. Accordingly, there is theproblem that when the user selects a certain lens apparatus, there maybe a sudden increase in the number of registered lenses shown in thearea 603, which creates a situation that is difficult for the user tounderstand. Also, even if the maximum number of lenses that can beregistered has been determined, it is not actually possible to registerthe maximum number of lenses.

The second embodiment describes a method for addressing this problemwith reference to FIGS. 10, 11, and 12. FIG. 10 is a conceptual diagramshowing an exemplary configuration of recorded content in the centralcontrol unit 34 of the image pickup apparatus 301 according to thesecond embodiment. FIG. 10 is different from FIG. 4 described above withrespect to the addition of a correction data reference table 904 betweenan area 901 and a lens data area 902.

As shown in FIG. 11, the correction data reference table 904 is roughlydivided into two areas. One area includes areas 1001 to 1003 in whichlens IDs are recorded. The other area includes areas 1004 to 1006 inwhich offset Data1 to offset Data3, which respectively correspond to thelens IDs in the areas 1001 to 1003, are recorded. The offset data is avalue indicating an offset amount from the address at which the opticalcharacteristics correction data of the corresponding lens ID isrecorded, that is to say, the offset data is reference destinationinformation for referencing correction information by identificationinformation. Accordingly, by appropriately setting the offset data, thecorrection data reference table 904 enables the same correctioninformation to be referenced by different identification information.The number of combinations of lens IDs and offset data is set higherthan the maximum number of lenses that can be registered.

The following describes a flow of operations performed by theregistration apparatus 302 when optical characteristics correction datais registered from the registration apparatus 302 to the image pickupapparatus 301 using this recording method, with reference to FIG. 12.First, when the user has selected optical characteristics correctiondata to be written to the image pickup apparatus 301 using the samemethod as in the first embodiment, the OK button 605 shown in FIG. 8 isoperated. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 12, upon detecting that the OKbutton 605 has been clicked, the control unit 401 starts performingprocessing according to the second embodiment (S1101).

When processing has started, the control unit 401 internally performsthe following processing before transmitting optical characteristicscorrection data to the image pickup apparatus 301. First, the controlunit 401 obtains all lens names that are checked (S1102). If none of thelenses are checked in step S1102, the control unit 401 transmits a tableincluding blank optical characteristics correction data to the imagepickup apparatus 301 (corresponds to step S404 in FIG. 4).

If checked lenses exist in step S1102, the control unit 401 referencesthe optical characteristics correction data 403 b, and seeks one-by-onefor optical characteristics correction data relating to the checked lensapparatuses. Specifically, the control unit 401 first determines whetherthe first checked lens apparatus has multiple lens IDs (S1103).Specifically, in step S1103, the control unit 401 determines whether theoptical characteristics correction data 403 b includes opticalcharacteristics correction data pieces that are for the same lensapparatus name as the lens apparatus to be registered, but arereferenced by different lens IDs.

If the first checked lens apparatus does not have multiple lens IDs, thecontrol unit 401 records the corresponding lens ID in the first area(area 1001) among the areas shown in FIG. 11. The control unit 401 alsorecords an offset value from the location of the optical characteristicscorrection data for the lens ID in the area (area 1004) corresponding tothe first area (S1105).

The following describes a case in which the first lens apparatus hasmultiple lens IDs. Assume the case in which one lens name has two lensIDs. The control unit 401 records one of the two lens IDs in the firstarea (area 1001) among the areas shown in FIG. 11, and records an offsetvalue from the location of the optical characteristics correction datain the area (area 1004) corresponding to the first area. Furthermore,the control unit 401 records the other lens ID in the area 1002, andrecords the same offset value from the location of the opticalcharacteristics correction data (i.e., the same value as in the area1004) in the area 1005 (S1104). In other words, in step S1104, thecontrol unit 401 records reference destination information forreferencing the same optical characteristics correction data bydifferent lens IDs. Accordingly, for lens apparatuses whose names(models) are the same but have different identification information,only one of the recorded registration information pieces for these lensapparatuses includes correction information. The other registrationinformation pieces that are recorded for these lens apparatus includereference destination information for referencing the one registrationinformation piece instead of including correction information.

According to the processing described above, if there are lensapparatuses that have different lens IDs but have the same opticalsystem, and the difference between the lens IDs exists simply todistinguish between an old-firmware lens apparatus and a new-firmwarelens apparatus, the same optical characteristics correction data can beshared between the different lens IDs. In this way, adding thecorrection data reference table 904 to the optical characteristicscorrection data eliminates the need to have redundant correctioninformation related to multiple lens IDs. Furthermore, since redundantcorrection information is not recorded even if there are multiple lensIDs due to differences in firmware, situations in which the maximumnumber of lenses cannot actually be recorded are eliminated, and theuser does not particularly need to be concerned about theabove-described problem related to the maximum number of lenses that canbe recorded.

The control unit 401 repeats the operations described above for all ofthe lenses apparatuses that are to be registered (S1106). After stepS1106, the control unit 401 records the optical characteristicscorrection data that is to be registered using the data structuredescribed with reference to FIG. 10, and transmits the opticalcharacteristics correction data to the image pickup apparatus 301(specifically, this processing is similar to the processing of stepS404, and differs only with respect to the optical characteristicscorrection data that is transmitted). At this time, the control unit 401references the registered optical characteristics correction dataobtained from the image pickup apparatus 301 in step S401 and step S402,and checks whether there are any redundancies with the opticalcharacteristics correction data that is to be registered. If aredundancy is found in this check, the control unit 401 may transmit, tothe image pickup apparatus 301, only reference destination informationfor referencing the redundant optical characteristics correction data bythe different lens IDs. In other words, the control unit 401 maytransmit only reference destination information for opticalcharacteristics correction data that is already registered in the imagepickup apparatus 301. Doing this enables optical characteristicscorrection data that is already registered in the image pickup apparatus301 to also be referenced by different lens IDs. Note that a descriptionof processing other than the processing described above has been omitteddue to being the same as in the first embodiment.

Note that the description in the above embodiments is merely exemplary,and the present invention is not limited thereto. Appropriate changescan be made to the configurations and operations in the embodimentsdescribed above.

Other Embodiments

Aspects of the present invention can also be realized by a computer of asystem or apparatus (or devices such as a CPU or MPU) that reads out andexecutes a program recorded on a memory device to perform the functionsof the above-described embodiment(s), and by a method, the steps ofwhich are performed by a computer of a system or apparatus by, forexample, reading out and executing a program recorded on a memory deviceto perform the functions of the above-described embodiment(s). For thispurpose, the program is provided to the computer for example via anetwork or from a recording medium of various types serving as thememory device (e.g., computer-readable medium).

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No.2008-200079, filed on Aug. 1, 2008, and 2008-235734, filed on Sep. 12,2008, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety.

1. An image pickup apparatus to/from which a lens apparatus havingidentification information set therein can be attached/removed, and thatcommunicably connects to a registration apparatus for registeringcorrection information of a lens apparatus, the image pickup apparatuscomprising: a correction information storage unit that stores correctioninformation of a lens apparatus; a reply unit that transmitsidentification information set in an attached lens apparatus to theregistration apparatus in accordance with a request from theregistration apparatus; a receiving unit that receives registrationinformation that has been transmitted from the registration apparatusand that includes the correction information and the identificationinformation; and an update unit that updates storage content of thecorrection information storage unit based on the registrationinformation received by the receiving unit.